§ Mr. Emeryasked the Minister of Transport what was the decrease in expenditure by local authorities on maintenance of minor roads in England during 1968–69; what is his estimate of expenditure on minor roads in 1969–70; by what percentage these expenditures in constant terms are less than in 1967–68; and how many local authorities have intimated to him that this decrease is due to cuts in local government support grants.
Mr. Bob BrownExpenditure by local authorities on the maintenance of minor roads is shown in the following table at November, 1968, prices:
£m. 1967–68 91 actual outturn. 1968–69 84 local authority estimates. 1969–70 82 estimated expenditure included in Cmnd. 3936 [Public Expenditure in 1968–69 to 1970–71]. Actual figures for 1968–69 will not be available until later this year.
The figures reflect the cuts in local authority expenditure required by the Government in Cmnd. 3515 [Public Expenditure in 1968–69 and 1969–70] and the Government's view that there is no 175W serious risk involved in continuing to impose severe restrictions on maintenance expenditure on minor roads in 1969–70.
The hon. Member will appreciate that it is a matter for local authorities how they spend rate support grant money.
A few local authorities have intimated that they will cut expenditure on highways in 1969–70 because of restrictions in rate support grant.